Lismore council invites region to do the reconciliation RAP

LISMORE council is giving local councils, businesses and community groups the chance to make reconciliation their business through a Reconciliation Action Plan.

LISMORE City Council is giving local councils, businesses and community organisations the chance to make reconciliation their business and create a Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP).

The council is holding a free workshop with Reconciliation Australia today , with representatives visiting Lismore to help people create practical action plans to advance Aboriginal equality.

In 2013, Council became the first council in the Northern Rivers to develop a RAP, created in consultation with Reconciliation Australia.

Since then, Council has established an Aboriginal Advisory Group, held community pride events, conducted cultural awareness training for staff, and is in the process of employing nine new Aboriginal trainees.

One of the final components is a project called Embracing the RAP in the Region, with Council reaching out and giving other organisations the inspiration and the tools to create their own RAP.

"Implementing our RAP has been an amazing experience and has given staff a real sense of pride about making a contribution to reconciliation in this country," Council's Manager Integrated Planning Annie McWilliam said.

"We want to share with others what we have achieved, the lessons we have learnt and support other organisations to go through their own process

"The impacts for the Aboriginal community are enormous in terms of developing relationships, increasing respect and creating employment opportunities.

"Inevitably, this also has positive benefits for the wider Lismore community."

Council's RAP was developed following its extensive Imagine Lismore community consultation in 2013, which identified that Aboriginal recognition was a top priority for our community.

Embracing the RAP in Region was included in the Imagine Lismore Partnering Strategy, which identifies projects where local organisations can work together to create meaningful change in the community.

"The Partnering Strategy contains many projects, looking at everything from health workforce development through to promoting Lismore as a tourist destination, but Embracing the RAP in the Region is particularly close to my heart," Ms McWilliam said.

"I see reconciliation as a social justice issue and we need active participation in order to create change.

"We encourage councils, businesses and the community to get on board and make the commitment to be part of that change.

"It doesn't matter how big or small your organisation is.

"Reconciliation is everybody's business."

The introductory workshop with Reconciliation Australia will be held today at the Council Chambers in Goonellabah from 9am to 12pm.

Everyone is welcome.

To register your attendance for this important regional event in the spirit of reconciliation, telephone [phone].